10. Back In Action
Sean couldn’t have been prouder. Branna had been rock solid throughout the interview with the two FBI agents. She’d gone through her story multiple times, reliving the nightmare she’d endured since Prince Hawley had demanded protection money from her father.
Marcus had sat with her, so they were both on the video screen. His friend had been professional and competent. Neither had surprised him, as Arrow was the best leader Sean had ever worked with in any field.
Troy and Piper had cleaned up the kitchen and left so that they wouldn’t make Branna any more nervous than she was.
Even when her eyes had become shiny with emotion, she’d maintained eye contact and stayed strong.
“You’ll make an excellent witness on the stand if this goes to trial. Thank you for the information and the statement.” Shanice Williams looked at her colleague. “Anything else you need, Jorge?”
Guerrero shook his head. “That’s all for now. Thank you, Ms. O’Dea. This gang has been spreading its power with its vicious approaches. Your information will help us enormously. Please contact me or Shanice if anything else comes to mind or if you have questions.”
Branna nodded.
Jorge spoke again. “All right. We had someone contact your insurance company to let them know you are not a person of interest in the fire and that it was arson aimed at destroying your livelihood. They expect your call tomorrow or the next day and will go ahead with your claim.”
Branna’s eyes widened. “Thank you. I didn’t expect that. I really appreciate you going out of your way to help me.”
The action surprised Sean as well. The agents were more proactive than he’d expected.
Jorge smiled. “We appreciate your help with this. We want to keep Miami safe from people like Hawley. If you run into any problems with your financial institution or getting identification, let us know if we can help.”
They all signed off, and Marcus shut down the program with a grin. “You impressed the hell out of them, Branna. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing your parents or brother, but I know they’d be proud as hell of you.”
Her eyes misted up again, but she smiled. “Thank you. Now what?”
Marcus rose. “Now, you leave it to us. Your involvement should hopefully be over until charges are made and things move toward a trial. Take a few days off and get more sleep. You’re probably depleted in pretty much every way. So, rest and eat and find something fun to do.”
Branna thanked him and stayed in the kitchen with Jabba while Sean walked Marcus to the door. “What are the odds that Hawley will figure out where she is?”
Marcus shrugged. “Small, but not zero. There are always ways to find people, and scum like Hawley tend to have good networks of people around the country. He’s probably also got at least one cop in his pocket. Depending on what is in any of the reports, he could have access to your name. Maybe even your truck’s license plate, although getting a new truck was smart and should slow him down. Have Branna stay off social media and keep to the farmhouse as much as possible until he’s arrested.”
Sean nodded and locked the door behind his friend. When he turned, he found Branna leaning on the doorjamb, watching him. Jabba leaned into her side like he was on protection detail. “Did you hear that?”
She nodded. “I think that’s good advice. My only social media was for the pub, so that’s not a problem.”
Sean didn’t have any social media either, but he knew that wasn’t common. And he knew Prince was going to be extremely frustrated by that fact. He’d bet the clown loved sharing photos of himself, acting like a big shot.
“Why don’t we take the mutt outside and check out the stars?”
Branna smiled. “That sounds normal. And perfect.”
Sean grabbed a blanket from the back of the sofa in the living room. “That couch might be older than we are.”
Branna laughed and agreed. “It fits with the kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures. But it’s a great home.”
Sean nodded. He loved the farmhouse, and his mind was already spinning with ideas of how to bring it into this century without ruining the old-world charm.
He opened the front door and Jabba bounded down the stairs into the snow. He took Branna’s hand and led her onto the porch. The night was clear and cold.
Leading Branna to the edge of the porch, he stood behind her and wrapped them both in the blanket, stepping close enough that they were touching.
She leaned back into him, and for long minutes, they simply watched the night and the gigantic dog playing in the snow.
Sean had thought he was used to the stars. He’d been traveling on lonely highways between jobs, and the clear nights were his favorite time to drive.
Here in Vermont, it was even better. As the dusk deepened into night, more and more stars became visible against the dark sky.
Branna’s sigh sounded happy. “This is amazing. I know each star is a sun with planets and moons circling it, but it seems like Mother Nature decided to put on a show just for us. It’s stunning.”
“Just like you.” He hadn’t planned them. The words just popped out.
She laughed. “Smooth talker.”
He chuckled. “That’s me.” Because it was usually the exact opposite of the truth. He’d been called blunt and reticent more times than he could count. Smooth wasn’t his forté.
For long minutes, they stood and enjoyed the view, the only noise being Jabba jumping in and out of the snow. Not a single car passed along the road that was out there. Not that they could see it in the dark because there weren’t any streetlights.
The only light on in the house behind them was back in the kitchen, so he didn’t have to worry about them being outlined for anyone watching. His senses were calm, and he was sure that, for tonight at least, they were completely alone in their tiny universe.
Sean hugged Branna and swayed her into a kind of dance as they watched. His body was on high alert this close to her, but he didn’t press into her or move his hands. More than anything, Branna probably needed to relax her mind, and the stars appeared to be doing exactly that for her.
After a while, Branna turned in his arms, and he readjusted the blanket to make sure she stayed warm. Her hands slid up his chest, and she smiled. They kept swaying to the silence of the night.
Unable to resist her sparkle, Sean lowered his head. Branna rose on her toes to meet him halfway.
* * *
Branna thought there wasn’t anything more spectacular than dancing with Sean in the starlight. When their lips touched, it was so gentle it made her heart melt. This tough warrior held her like precious glass.
While their lips touched and nipped and tasted, she let her hands roam his chest. She kept her touches as light as the kiss. Gentle and so loving, her body was almost in flames.
Jabba thumped up the stairs and shook the snow off beside them, showering them in flakes. Sean grinned into the kiss and then looked down at the dog. “You ready to head inside, buddy? Hope you wore yourself out because we have plans for the next few hours that don’t involve you.”
Hours? Her body shivered in delight at the desire evident in his voice.
They moved inside, and Jabba headed to the kitchen, where they’d left his food and water bowls. Sean slipped the blanket from his shoulders and wrapped it around her. Then he set the alarm by the door and grinned. “Trust me?”
“Always.”
Her answer had his eyes flaming, and the next thing she knew, he’d tossed her over his shoulder, one hand playing with her butt while he strode up the stairs. She was laughing and completely turned on when they arrived in their room. Sean kicked the door closed behind them.
But he still didn’t let her up. Although, with the view she had of his ass, she wasn’t complaining.
“Bed or shower?”
A shiver ran through her. “Bed first.”
His hands flinched on her. “I like the way you think. Actually, I like everything about you, Branna O’Dea. Every damn thing.”
She started to reply, but she suddenly flew through the air and bounced on the bed. Sean landed on top of her, and his mouth crashed onto hers.
There was nothing soft or gentle about this kiss. He was devouring her and it was delicious.
Her hands were trapped in the blanket, and she squirmed to get them loose.
“In a hurry, Sally?”
“Not the time to remind me you think of me as a tagalong.” But she was laughing when she said it.
Keeping his body on hers so she couldn’t get loose, Sean moved his lips to her ear. “My apologies, Ms. Branna O’Dea, queen of sexiness and determination, prettiest woman on the planet.”
His soft whisper had shivers covering her body. “Much better.” Her own voice was husky and more than a little shaky.
Sean trailed kisses along her jawline and down to the pulse that was beating wildly in her throat. “You amaze me, Branna. You’re strong and smart, and I can’t wait to taste every gorgeous inch of this perfect little body.”
Her heartbeat was out of control, and her body wanted to touch. She got a finger free of the blanket and poked Sean in the chest. He rolled immediately, bringing her with him so she was straddling him.
Smiling, she leaned down to kiss him. “Smooth move, Falcone. But we’re wearing too many layers.”
“Sounds like a challenge.”
She hadn’t meant it that way, but his eyes sparkled with fun and desire. And maybe something more.
They moved, shoving off whatever they could reach. As she was wearing borrowed clothes and was going commando since she hadn’t had a chance to wash her own things, she was naked first. “I win.”
Sean’s eyes raked over her, and she shivered under the intensity of his gaze. “Nope, that’s a definite win for me. You’re so damn beautiful, Branna.”
“Right back at you, Sean. I want to taste.”
Then they were rolling on the bed, all tongues and teeth and hands.
When Branna wrapped a fist around Sean’s erection, he groaned, and his breath came out in a harsh puff of air. “Hell, Branna.”
Delighted by his reaction, she squeezed and brought her hand up and down his length. He dropped his head to her shoulder. “Later. Do that later. I want to be inside you the first time.”
“Good plan. I need you, Sean. Now.”
Her body had never spiralled so tightly, and she couldn’t wait for him to be inside her.
“Condoms. Damn. Condoms.” Sean leaned over to yank on the nightstand drawer. He pulled out a fresh box and checked the date. Then he ripped open the box, spilling condoms everywhere. He snagged one and ripped it open with a grin. “Troy is an excellent friend.”
She was laughing, but when he rolled on the condom, she nearly exploded right there. “Now, Sean. Now.”
“Your wish is my command.”
Then he covered her body and nudged her legs apart. He kissed her, and their tongues danced and dueled. When she thought she was going to explode with no further touch, he lifted his head. “Ready?”
She nodded and whispered back. “Ready.”
With their eyes locked, Sean slid into her, slowly stretching her and making her feel whole.
A slow, sexy grin spread over his face. “You feel so good, Branna. Let’s see what I learned from that kitchen back in the safe house.”
The kitchen where she’d flown higher than she’d ever been. Her body clenched around him and Sean sucked in a breath. “That’s it, sweetheart. Let’s get you flying.”
His low, growly whisper had her close. Then he moved slowly, almost all the way out and then just as slowly back in.
He kept whispering, kept watching her with those beautiful eyes that truly saw her.
In only moments, her body tightened, and she let out a cry as her body exploded in lights and waves of pleasure. She clenched around him and felt his growl of approval down to her toes.
When she fluttered back to awareness, he was still watching her with that sexy, confident grin. “Beautiful, Branna. Let’s do it again.”
He was still hard, and this time, he moved more forcefully, changing the angle to find what sent her out of control.
“Reach for those stars, Branna. Fly again for me.”
And she did.